(CNN Philippines) — Fifteen people were reported hurt in two explosions that rocked Jolo, Sulu on Friday evening (May 29).
According to Senior Supt. Abraham Orbita, director of the Sulu Provincial Police Office, an unidentified person lobbed a hand grenade near the mosque inside Camp Supt. Julasirim A. Kasim in Barangay Asturias at around 7:30 p.m.
Injured in the blast were:
Sildaya Imbay
Alrasheed Imbay
Arsheeda Imbay
Faujiya Mudah
Yvone Aya-Ay
Ten minutes later, another explosion occurred, this time injuring several police officers:
Senior Insp. Jeremy S. Dogao
SPO1 Johny Wahi
SPO1 Benhar Ladjamalik
PO1 Arkis A. Duran
PO1 Tantung H. Muksan
PO2 Emmanuel Abin
PO1 Hinaro Accad
PO1 Elorde Alem
PO1 Al-Aziz Sakilan
PO1 Mark Tulavan
The officers were among those who immediately responded after the first explosion.
According to Orbita, the bomb was meant for the police as they’d done successive operations against the Abu Sayyaf and heard reports that the rebel group would retaliate.
He said the first bomb was intended to bring members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the area, and when they were present, an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated.
The police are looking at the Abu Sayyaf as the likely suspects behind both explosions.
Orbita added an investigation into what type of IED was used is underway.
He said the camp is quite public, as there are schools, a lodging house, as well as a mosque and a Catholic church inside.
According to Orbita, “Unlike military installations, we cannot completely close off the camp to the public. We serve the public and it would not do them well if we do not allow them inside — the reaction from the community would be negative. We have to balance things. We cannot overreact because of what happened.”
Orbita said they are eyeing a particular group of the Abu Sayyaf to be behind the bombing, but are not at liberty to discuss it at the moment.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the first priority now was to attend to the medical needs of the injured.
He has ordered the PNP to conduct a thorough investigation into the blasts and bring those responsible to justice.
He said, “The perpetrators will be persecuted to the fullest extent of law.”
CNN Philippines’ David Santos contributed to this report.
